The Kubota Insight Programme (KIP) returned to the UK in February 2025, for the purpose of carrying out tractor health checks and listening to operator feedback.
Now in it’s 15th year, the KIP programme visited Irelands Farm Machinery in Lincolnshire, and Battlefield Machinery, Shropshire, to interact with dealers and customers through workshop-based clinics held at the dealerships.
At each location, a wide variety of models of varying ages and clock hours could be thoroughly appraised and extensively tested, with the aim of ensuring pto power and hydraulic performance were up to scratch.
Endo Naoki and Mariko Kimura from the agricultural machinery overseas service department were part of the 2025 KIP team, along with colleagues from Kubota UK and dealer staff.
In addition to providing an insight into aftersales and service requirements for Kubota machinery, the workshop process aimed to carry out a full health check of each tractor, working systematically through the powertrain, hydraulic and electrical systems.
Working with a pre-defined inspection sheet, each tractor’s appraisal was structured to provide a detailed overview of functions, maintenance, engine and transmission diagnostic functions. This also included historical and active Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC’s), and software revisions.
Wheel nuts were checked and adjusted where necessary for correct tightness, with oil levels checked and topped-up as required.
Every aspect of each tractor’s electrical system was checked and tested, before the tractor was subjected to full power testing. Using calibrated test equipment and a PTO dynamometer, engine power and torque could be measured, as could full hydraulic pump capacity, revealing flow, pressure, pressure relief functionality and oil temperature.
